Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have an issue here because we have to socialise the dearth of infrastructure when it comes to emergency departments and we need to do it immediately because people are going to die on trolleys if this is not done. Despite all the Minister's measures, we will not have the immediate capacity that we need in emergency departments if he does not take this proposed measure. There is an issue over what is more appropriate and what is a priority - the common good versus private property interests. The Minister should make a name for himself and gain access to the private hospitals immediately in order to alleviate the terrible situation we could be facing into this winter.

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